>> GMC PREP
GMC Prep wrapped up its season last Thursday with a 35-12 win over Twiggs County to earn its third win of the season and its second region victory.
Despite their final record of 3-7, the Bulldogs finished strong, winning two of their final three games after going 1-6 before their upset win over the heavily favored Hancock Central Bulldogs.
GMC Prep beat Hancock Central 34-22 at Davenport Field on Oct.13. That win was the Dogs’ biggest of the year and kept them in playoff contention until Wilkinson County beat Glascock County to eliminate them from getting the fourth seed in the first round of the GHSA state playoffs.
“There were some growing pains over the season, but we played better towards the end of the season,” Head Coach Bobby Rhoades said of his Bulldogs.
Coach Rhoades mentioned that some young players on the team such as Matthew McDade grew up over the length of the season. Other players such as junior quarterback Logan McMillan noticeably got better as the season went on. McMillan finished with seven touchdown passes with just five interceptions on 136 attempts. McMillan also finished the year with a 50 percent completion rate.
The dynamic duo of Jessie Washington and Johnathan Roach were the heart of the Dogs’ offense.
Both seniors had 500-yard rushing yards this season and both improved their numbers from last season. The pair also had two 100+ yard rushing games this season. Roach had only two more yards rushing than Washington with 591 yards on the season compared to Washington’s 589.
Roach also led the team in receiving yards with 307 and three touchdown catches.
Defensively, Washington led the team in tackles with 61 total and 38 solo stops. Roach was second in tackles with 40 total and 20 solo tackles. Washington also had an interception and a fumble recovery this past season to lead the team in turnovers responsible for. The Dogs’ defense had nine forced turnovers on the season, with six being fumble recoveries. Sophomore defensive lineman Joseph Cox led the team in fumble recoveries with two.
Though GMC’s season may be over, Jessie Washington’s high school career is not yet over. Washington has been invited to play in the 11th annual Georgia Elite Classic. The annual All-Star game is held in Rome, where high school seniors from around the state compete against each other to showcase their talents to colleges and universities interested in finding some underrated talent in Georgia. The Senior’s All-Star game will be played on Dec. 29 at Barron Stadium.
“I think it’s an outstanding event that they put on yearly,” Rhoades said. “Both my sons who are in college played in it. They just do a great job putting that event on every year.”